Held Fast in The Crook of An Arm

So he told them this parable: Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. (Luke 15:3-5, NRSV)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11, NRSV)

I work 40 hours a week so I can have one day to sleep all day in a beautiful house with a stuffed pantry. And sleep I do! This morning my two teenage cats came to jab me and roll around on me. We like to wallow in bed together. This time I actually opened my eyes and petted one of the cats, Iris.

Iris, being the chubby cutie pie she is started to shove her head in my hand for ear scratches, then shoulder rubs, and finally she flopped on her side and tried to roll to her back. I stopped her because she was on the edge of the bed and if she had rolled all the way she would have fallen to the floor, successfully landing on her spine.

I stopped and took a hard look at this cat nestled in the crook of my arm, not quite able to do what she wanted but happy I was with her. I stopped and asked myself "I wonder how many times God does this to us?" How many times has God stopped you from doing something you wanted by holding you fast in God’s arm?

Prayer: Dear God, I know sometimes I resent you when you stop me from doing something I want but thank you for making sure I don't hurt myself.